Where Did the Common Ground Go?

Michael Sean Winters
|
Apr. 19, 2013
Distinctly Catholic

Writing at Religion & Politics[1], John Gehring asks what happened to the push for common ground around the proposition that both pro-life and pro-choice groups should pursue strategies to reduce the abortion rate. In part, as he reports, there was progress, with the inclusion of some provisions of the Pregnant Woman Support Act into the Affordable Care Act. But, mostly, the political landscape simply does not support such common ground initiatives without persistent efforts by key politicians. The special interest groups on both sides have no interest in common ground: They make their money, and pay their salaries, by remaining intransigent. And, the two parties have become less welcoming to those who break with party orthodoxy on this, or any, issue. The truly sad fact: Many Americans are deeply ambivalent about abortion and they have no one to champion their moderation.